Ultrastructural Changes in <i>Candida albicans</i> Induced by Benzyl Isothiocyanate (BITC)
The search for new antifungal substances is increasingly relevant due to growing antifungal resistance. <i>Candida albicans</i> is the most common pathogen yeast in humans, primarily in immuno-compromised individuals. Isothiocyanates, derived from glucosinolates, are compounds with an an...
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| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2023-11-01
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| Series: | Biology and Life Sciences Forum |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-9976/31/1/29 |
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| Summary: | The search for new antifungal substances is increasingly relevant due to growing antifungal resistance. <i>Candida albicans</i> is the most common pathogen yeast in humans, primarily in immuno-compromised individuals. Isothiocyanates, derived from glucosinolates, are compounds with an antimicrobial effect at low concentrations. The purpose of this study was to analyse the ultrastructural changes in three <i>C. albicans</i> isolates after exposure to benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) at different lengths of exposure time (2.5, 5 and 24 h). Before exposure to BITC, cells presented a regular round or oval shape, with a uniform cell wall. After exposure to BITC, cell wall damage and loss occurred in the three strains. The cells developed extensive indentations, and a band of electrodense material was formed in the cortical cytoplasm. Although, for one isolate, no intact cells were detected, at the highest exposure time, two of the isolates showed a relevant response, regaining almost normal cell shape with nearly complete cell wall recovery. Cell lysis led to the deposition of a melted and unmixed mass with two apparently distinct fractions, the cell wall fraction and the cytoplasmic fraction. The present work demonstrates that, through targeting the <i>C. albicans</i> cell wall, BITC may prove to be a promising antifungal compound. |
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| ISSN: | 2673-9976 |